Just got my SR20 swap about 2 weeks ago, ran butter sweet for like 500 miles.....


Just changed the oil.......put in 3 quarts, took out about 3.5....this is bc the swap guy said he put in a little too much.

So, after 100 miles of the oil change, I get back to school, and I am blowing a good amount of bluish smoke from the exhaust.

At first there was a ticking noise coming from the top of the engine, near the cams....we checked the oil level, and it was below L!!!!

After adding a half quart, we then proceed to run in for like 5 minutes, let it cool, and check the oil level......of course now it read above the H!!!!

Finally, I give the car gases, and have no boost......I am pretty sure there isn;t a boost leak, but I will triple check.

If my turbo is completely shot, why would I blow blue smoke! (bad seals in the turbo)

Also, my oil pressure gauge always seems to read low, around 6 psi or so, but I am using Mobil 1 10W-30, which is pretty light.

FInally, has anyone had any problem with dipsticks on an SR? It is stock oil pan, but always seemed to read high, then read low all of a sudden, and a half quart made the level jump like 1.5 inches on the dipstick!


Any help appreciated or thoughts

 

check compression lately?

 

You are right, I should check compression.......

However, the engine was so perfect, I doubt that's the case......unless it's a valve seal or something MAYBE...

2 weeks ago the engine checked at 155-160 for all 4 cylinders, and pulls about 22 mmHg vacuum at idle, which I have been told is unbelievably good.....


Thanks for the input.....the engine itself at idle sounds really good, no weird noises anymore, but when you get on it, is basically N/A, and it blows blue smoke!!!!

At least the turbo is waranteed....now I just have to figure out how I am going to find the time or whatever to drive the car 100+ miles to NY while I am busy with grad school right now....

 

grad school > car, lol.

but yeah, valve seals def a possibility. has it been over rev'ed before?

try a leak down test too if you have time

 

hahah yes, i am not too worried though.........i think a leak down would be the most valuable.......

I am interested very much in the oil, because as I said, my dipstick seems to give unbelievably erratic readings.

I am pretty sure the turbo is shot, I rev it and no boost.

Also, the car has not be overrevved that I know.......it has a rev limiter built in, which i have only hit a few times for very short periods of time.........my engine temperature is always well below overheating......

 

yeah, the oil problemis really odd. maybe oil return line is backed up

 

first off the car will not build boost while you rev it...so dont even worry about that

bluish smoke is not oil

sr requires 3.4ish quarts

pull off your compressor inlet pipe and check for oil in the pipe or in the turbo, also check for shaft play...

is it the stock t25?

 

again, thanks all for the feedback.....


It is the stock T25.........there are about 3.5 quarts of oil in the engine right now........


Pulled off hot pipe and other pipes and no signs of wet oil.

There is a bit of a charcoally paste, but it isn't oil....I have been told this is normal.....it is a greyish color and is kind of smooth.....however, nothing wet that seems like fresh oil.


I know you said about not building boost when revving....fortunately I kinda knew this....I took it for a short spin and trust me, the turbo is not doing it's job.....there is no boost at all.......

However, the good news is the engine sounds pretty good now....

I have a few guesses:

1) Blown turbo and oil is leaking causing smoke and kind of low oil pressure.

2) Huge leak somewhere that is causing me to not build boost, and also, to run rich because some intake air is not making it to the engine....causing smoke if I am rich....


Thanks for you're input....

 

yea the running rich would def cause some smoke, get or make a boost leak tester and it will tell u if thats the prob.

 

Pay attention when you're checking the oil. Your going to get different readings depending on if the car is completely cool from sitting over night. (which should give you the highest reading) As to when you check the oil when the engine is warm. (which would give you the lowest reading.) Because the oil is going to settle down in the pan, as oppose to being pumped into the motor.

I would suggest to check the oil first thing in the morning before starting the car see what where oil level is. Then start the car, let it run for 15 minutes shut it down and check the level again. Don't move the car though, just let it idle.

The oil should be accurate the time you check it after 15 minutes of idle. I worked at Jiffy Lube for a few months, and was told that is the only accurate way to check oil level.

Just my 2c